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Saturday, 14 May 2016

Transgender to be recognised in U.S Public schools

As The Obama administration count down to handing over, it has
recommended that all public school districts allow transgender
students to use the rest room and locker-room that matches their
gender identity. In the letter sent to all school districts in the US,
transgender students should be allowed to use wherever they want
without been asked for documentation to prove their preferred
sexuality or medical diagnosis.
In a letter outlining guidance for schools that were sent out
yesterday, the administration said as a condition of receiving federal
funds, "a school may provide separate facilities on the basis of sex,
but must allow transgender students access to such facilities
consistent with their gender identity."
The letter says the school should not require any medical diagnosis,
nor should they demand documentation reflecting the student's gender
identity before taking steps to protect transgender students, "even in
circumstances in which other students, parents, or community members
raise objections."
Adding that while schools are permitted to offer single-use restrooms
to students who want "additional privacy," they should not require
transgender students to use single-use facilities if their classmates
are not required to do the same.
The letter was signed by officials from the Departments of Justice
(DOJ) and Education.
Alongside the letter to school districts, officials will distribute a
list of "emerging practices," advice for how to deal with a number of
issues, from ensuring faculty uses the student's preferred pronoun to
preventing staff from inadvertently disclosing a student's status as
transgender.
The best practices document also gives guidance on how schools can
"protect the privacy rights of all students," holding up a suggestion
from Washington state that recommends offering "students who may feel
uncomfortable sharing the facility with the transgender student(s)"
the option to use a separate single-occupant restroom.
Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin called the directive
'groundbreaking'. He said in a statement:
"This is a truly significant moment not only for transgender young
people but for all young people, sending a message that every student
deserves to be treated fairly by their teachers and schools.